HR & Cover Manager

What skills and experience we're looking for

About Drumbeat School

Drumbeat School is a sector‑leading specialist provision for children and young people aged 4–19 diagnosed with Autism. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every pupil can thrive.

As a multi‑site service with complex operational demands, we place high value on professional, well‑structured systems that enable staff and pupils to succeed.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised HR & Cover Manager to lead the school’s HR function and coordinate daily staff cover arrangements. This is a key operational role with responsibility for providing professional HR advice to senior leaders and governors, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding and data protection, and maintaining staffing continuity each day.

The role includes responsibility for coordinating morning cover arrangements for teaching assistants only. The postholder will initially work alongside an Assistant Headteacher to learn the school’s cover model before taking full responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Lead and manage all core HR activity, including employee relations, absence management and performance processes.
• Provide professional HR advice to the Executive Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governors.
• Manage HR casework in line with legislation, school policies and Local Authority guidance.
• Coordinate Occupational Health referrals and associated follow‑up.

Recruitment and Safeguarding

• Manage end‑to‑end recruitment processes in line with DfE Safer Recruitment requirements.
• Ensure all pre‑employment checks are completed accurately for staff, agency workers and volunteers.
• Maintain accurate staffing records and compliance documentation.

Cover Coordination

• Organise and coordinate daily teaching assistant cover arrangements, primarily during the morning.
• Work closely with leaders to prioritise pupil safety, EHCP needs and operational continuity.
• Liaise with staff and supply agencies where required, maintaining clear and professional communication.

Compliance and Systems

• Maintain the Single Central Record and ensure it is audit‑ready at all times.
• Act as the school’s operational lead for GDPR, including Subject Access Requests.
• Ensure staff data on Arbor is accurate and supports statutory returns and workforce reporting.

What the school offers its staff

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us. Our benefits package includes, but is not limited to:

• £110 towards new glasses, annually
• £110 towards routine dental treatment, annually
• £200 towards complementary therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic adjustments, annually
• £100 towards alternative therapies such as reflexology, homeopathy and Indian head massage, annually
• Up to 8 face‑to‑face counselling sessions per year
• 24/7 Employee Support Service
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to a virtual GP
• Benefits available for up to four dependent children

Further details about the role

Interviews will be held w/c 20 April 2026.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.